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Targeting inflammation 'may treat Alzheimer's

Drugs that block proteins involved in inflammation could have the potential to treat Alzheimer's disease, a study suggests.

Researchers in Germany and Switzerland found that antibodies designed to block two inflammation-linked proteins helped to reduce features of Alzheimer's in laboratory mice.

The antibodies blocked the activity of a protein called p40, which is a common component of two messenger proteins called IL-12 and IL-23 in the brain.

These messenger proteins were found to be elevated in the brains of mice with Alzheimer's-like features; but by stopping the p40 protein from working, the researchers were able to reduce brain levels of a hallmark Alzheimer's protein called amyloid and bring about improvements in the animals' cognitive problems.

Dr Simon Ridley, from the charity Alzheimer's Research UK, described the field of inflammation as an 'exciting' area for dementia researchers.

Commenting on the latest study, which is published in the journal Nature Medicine, he said: 'This promising research adds further support for the role of the immune system in Alzheimer's, linking two inflammatory proteins to the disease in mice.'

However, the expert added that any new Alzheimer's drug would need to be tested rigorously in clinical trials before reaching patients.

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